IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra picks 5 replacement options for Suresh Raina at CSK

Suresh Raina’s sudden departure from the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), has left a massive void in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Having scored 5,368 runs from 193 matches at an average of 33.34, the southpaw has successfully plied his trade in the T20 tournament since the inaugural season in 2008. The 33-year-old has been CSK’s bedrock at the no.3 batting position.

Raina had gone to Dubai for the IPL, but had to return to India due to obvious reasons. The Super Kings also had other troubles after Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar were tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently in quarantine. Even as CSK will be looking for an apt replacement, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked five batters, who can fill in Raina’s shoes.

Aakash Chopra opines

To start with, Chopra picked Yusuf Pathan, who went unsold in the previous auction. Yusuf played for three teams in the IPL and has 3,204 runs, including a 37-ball century against the Mumbai Indians (MI). He last played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2019. The Baroda cricketer is also more than handy with his off-breaks. Chopra then went for Bengal’s stalwart Manoj Tiwary.

After playing for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in 2018, Tiwary hasn’t found a buyer. However, he’s in good form as he scored his maiden first-class triple ton in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy. Tiwary has also vented his frustration on not getting picked. Chopra’s third pick was Hanuma Vihari, who has played in the IPL since 2013, but is yet to make a name for himself in the cash-rich league.

In 2019, he played two games for the Delhi Capitals (DC) after which was released. But going by his performances for India’s Test team, the right-hander can lend solidity to a batting lineup in crisis. As his fourth pick, Chopra went for Dhruv Shorey, who’s already with the Super Kings franchise.

To end with, Chopra, to the surprise of many, picked Cheteshwar Pujara. Though he’s mostly known as a Test stalwart, Pujara showed T20 credentials as well. In 2019, he became the first Saurashtra batsman to score a century after he accomplished the milestone in 61 balls against Railways.

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